U.S. patent application number 10/891042 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-17 for damper.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIFCO INC.. Invention is credited to Jinbo, Naoto.
Application Number | 20050034269 10/891042 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34137957 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050034269 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jinbo, Naoto |
February 17, 2005 |
Damper
Abstract
A damper includes a cylindrical housing; a rotor rotationally
housed in the cylindrical housing; a biasing member for applying a
biasing force to the rotor; viscous fluid filled in the cylindrical
housing; and a spare winding setting device for setting the biasing
force of the biasing member. When the rotor rotates, the rotation
is damped by a shear resistance of the viscous fluid filled in the
cylindrical housing. The damper may include an open position lock
mechanism having a first engaging projection disposed on an inner
circumferential surface of the cylindrical housing and a second
engaging projection disposed on an outer circumferential surface of
the rotor. The first and second engaging projections can engage or
move over with each other.
Inventors: |
Jinbo, Naoto; (Yokohama-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAUPTMAN KANESAKA & BERNER
Suite 300
1700 Diagonal Road
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
NIFCO INC.
|
Family ID: |
34137957 |
Appl. No.: |
10/891042 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05F 1/1215 20130101;
E05F 3/14 20130101; E05Y 2201/254 20130101; E05Y 2900/606 20130101;
E05D 11/1007 20130101; H04M 1/0216 20130101; E05Y 2201/21 20130101;
E05F 3/20 20130101; E05F 5/10 20130101; E05Y 2201/264 20130101;
Y10T 16/276 20150115; E05Y 2201/266 20130101; E05Y 2201/256
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
016/051 |
International
Class: |
E05F 003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2003 |
JP |
2003-425024 |
Aug 12, 2003 |
JP |
2003-291936 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A damper comprising: a cylindrical housing, a rotor rotatably
housed in the cylindrical housing, a biasing member situated
between the cylindrical housing and the rotor for applying a
biasing force to the rotor, viscous fluid filled in the cylindrical
housing, and a spare winding setting device formed between the
cylindrical housing and the rotor for setting the biasing force of
the biasing member.
2. A damper according to claim 1, wherein said spare winding
setting device includes a first engaging portion disposed on one of
a bottom of the cylindrical housing and a leading end of the rotor
facing the bottom of the cylindrical housing, and a second engaging
portion disposed on the other of the bottom of the cylindrical
housing and the leading end of the rotor for engaging the first
engaging portion when the rotor rotates with respect to the
cylindrical housing.
3. A damper according to claim 2, wherein said first engaging
portion is an arc-shape projection projecting from the bottom of
the cylindrical housing, and said second engaging portion is a
projection projecting from the leading end of the rotor along an
axis thereof.
4. A damper comprising: a cylindrical housing, a rotor rotatably
housed in the cylindrical housing, viscous fluid filled in the
cylindrical housing, and an open position lock mechanism having a
first engaging projection disposed on an inner circumferential
surface of the cylindrical housing and a second engaging projection
disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the rotor for
engaging the first engaging projection, one of said first and
second engaging projections moving over the other of the first and
second engaging projections when the rotor rotates with a rotating
torque greater than a predetermined value so that the rotor rotates
in both directions with respect to the cylindrical housing.
5. A damper according to claim 4, wherein said second engaging
projection is formed of an elastic material projecting from the
outer circumferential surface of the rotor for engaging the first
engaging projection.
6. A damper according to claim 4, wherein said second engaging
projection has an elastic piece extending in a circumferential
direction and a projection formed at a forward end of the elastic
piece in the circumferential direction and projecting from the
outer circumferential surface of the rotor for engaging the first
engaging projection.
7. A damper according to claim 4, further comprising a biasing
device disposed between the cylindrical housing and the rotor for
accumulating a biasing force for rotating the rotor in a
predetermined direction with respect to the cylindrical
housing.
8. A damper according to claim 4, further comprising a spare
winding setting device formed between the cylindrical housing and
the rotor for setting the biasing force of the biasing member.
9. A damper according to claim 8, wherein said spare winding
setting device includes a first engaging portion disposed on one of
a bottom of the cylindrical housing and a leading end of the rotor
facing the bottom of the cylindrical housing, and a second engaging
portion disposed on the other of the bottom of the cylindrical
housing and the leading end of the rotor for engaging the first
engaging portion when the rotor rotates with respect to the
cylindrical housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT
[0001] The present invention relates to a damper wherein a biasing
force for closing a door is accumulated in a biasing member such as
a coil spring to thereby damp the door when the door is opened. In
particular, the present invention also relates to a shaft-type
damper attached to a door of an operation panel of an electronic
instrument such as a television and including an open position
locking mechanism for locking the door biased in a closing
direction at a predetermined open position.
[0002] A conventional damper is structured such that a rotor is
housed in a cylindrical housing with a bottom to be rotatable with
respect to the housing by a biasing force of a biasing member, for
example, a coil spring. A rotation of the rotor is damped by shear
resistance of viscous fluid filled in the housing. The housing is
attached to a main portion, and a portion of the rotor projecting
from a cap of the housing is attached to a door. In a case that the
door is biased in an open direction, when a lock of the door is
released, an opening operation of the door is damped. In a case
that the door is biased in a closing direction by the biasing
member, when a hand is removed from the door, a closing operation
of the door is damped.
[0003] In a damper disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai)
No. 07-238971, spare winding for setting a biasing force of a
biasing member is carried out such that, after a cap is attached to
a housing, a rotor is rotated with respect to the housing, so that
the rotor moves in an axial direction and an engaging projecting
portion provided to the rotor moves over an engaging projecting
portion provided to the cap.
[0004] However, it is difficult to provide a large engaging margin
between the engaging projection portions. Accordingly, when the
biasing member has a large biasing force, the spare winding is
unwound by the biasing force of the spare-wound biasing member,
thereby making it difficult to use the biasing member with the
large biasing force.
[0005] In a damper disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai)
No. 2000-120746, a spare winding for setting a biasing force of a
biasing member is carried out such that, after a rotor is attached
to a housing, the rotor is rotated with respect to the housing, so
that a claw portion disposed at a portion corresponding to a cap of
the rotor moves over an inner side of a claw portion disposed at an
open end of the housing. Accordingly, if the portion of the rotor
corresponding to the cap is welded to the housing, the spare
winding can not be carried out.
[0006] The dampers disclosed in Japanese Patent Publications
(Kokai) No. 07-238971 and No. 2000-120746 include projections for
adjusting the biasing force to be accumulated in the coil spring as
a biasing member. However, in a case that a door or lid is biased
in the closing direction by the coil spring, the door can not be
locked at a predetermined open position.
[0007] In view of the problems described above, an object of the
present invention is to provide a damper including an open position
locking mechanism capable of locking a door or lid at an open
position.
[0008] Further objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, a damper
includes a cylindrical housing with a bottom; a rotor housed in the
cylindrical housing to be rotatable relative to the housing; and a
biasing member for biasing the rotor. The damper damps a rotation
of the rotor with shear resistance of viscous fluid filled in the
housing. A spare winding setting device is provided for setting a
biasing force of the biasing member for rotating the rotor with
respect to the housing before the rotor is set in the housing.
[0010] According to a second aspect of the invention, a damper
includes a cylindrical housing with a bottom; a rotor housed in the
cylindrical housing to be rotatable relative to the housing; and a
biasing member for biasing the rotor. The damper damps a rotation
of the rotor with shear resistance of viscous fluid filled in the
housing. A portion to be engaged is disposed on one of the bottom
of the housing and a leading end of the rotor facing the bottom,
and an engaging portion is disposed on the other of the bottom of
the housing and the leading end of the rotor facing the bottom, so
that when the rotor rotates with respect to the housing, the
engaging portion abuts against the portion to be engaged.
[0011] In the present invention, the spare winding setting device
is provided for setting the biasing force of the biasing member for
rotating the rotor with respect to the house before the rotor is
set in the housing. Accordingly, the biasing force of the biasing
member for rotating the rotor with respect to the housing can be
set before the rotor is set in the housing. Accordingly, it is not
necessary to move the rotor in the axial direction for setting the
biasing force of the biasing member. As a result, the biasing
member with a large biasing force can be used, and the spare
winding setting device can be applied to a damper in which a cap is
fixed to the housing.
[0012] In the present invention, the portion to be engaged is
provided on one of the bottom of the housing and the leading end of
the rotor facing the bottom, and the engaging portion is provided
on the other of the bottom in the housing and the leading end of
the rotor for abutting against the portion to be engaged by
rotating the rotor with respect to the housing. Accordingly, the
biasing force of the coil spring for rotating the rotor with
respect to the housing can be set by setting the rotor in the
housing in a state that the biasing force is accumulated in the
coil spring and by allowing the engaging portion to abut against
the portion to be engaged. Accordingly, it is not necessary to move
the rotor in the axial direction in order to set the biasing force
of the coil spring after the rotor is set in the housing. As a
result, a coil spring with a strong biasing force can be employed,
and the mechanism formed of the portion to be engaged and the
engaging portion can be applied to a damper in which a cap is
welded to the housing.
[0013] According to a third aspect of the invention, a shaft-type
damper damps a rotation of a rotor housed in a bottomed cylindrical
housing rotatably with respect to the housing by the shear
resistance of a viscous fluid filled in the housing. An open
position lock mechanism is formed of an engaging projection
disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the housing and an
engaging projection disposed on an outer circumferential surface of
the rotor for engaging the engaging projection. When a rotating
torque becomes higher than a predetermined value, the rotor can
rotate in both directions with respect to the housing as one of the
engaging projections moves over the other of the engaging
projections.
[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a shaft-type
damper damps a rotation of a rotor housed in a bottomed cylindrical
housing rotatably with respect to the housing by the shear
resistance of a viscous fluid filled in the housing. An open
position lock mechanism is formed of an engaging projection
disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the housing and an
elastic engaging projection having a projection disposed on the
rotor and projecting from an outer peripheral surface of the rotor
for engaging the engaging projection. When the rotating torque
becomes higher than a predetermined value, the rotor can rotate in
both directions with respect to the housing as the projection moves
over the engaging projection.
[0015] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a shaft-type
damper damps rotation of a rotor housed in a bottomed cylindrical
housing rotatably with respect to the housing by the shear
resistance of a viscous fluid filled in the housing. An open
position lock mechanism is formed of an engaging projection
disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the housing and an
elastic engaging projection having an elastic piece extending in
the circumferential direction and a projection provided on a
leading end of the elastic piece in the circumferential direction
and projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the rotor
for engaging the engaging projection. When the rotating torque
becomes higher than a predetermined value, the rotor can rotate in
both directions with respect to the housing as the projection moves
over the engaging projection through the elastic deformation of the
elastic piece.
[0016] In the present invention, it is desirable that a biasing
device is provided between the housing and the rotor for
accumulating the biasing force for rotating the rotor in the
predetermined direction with respect to the housing.
[0017] In the present invention, the open position lock mechanism
is provided, so that the door or lid can be locked at a
predetermined open position. In a case that the door or lid is
biased in the closing direction by the biasing force of the coil
spring, a desired operation or work can be carried out in a state
that a hand is away from the door or lid and the door or lid is
locked at the open position with the open position lock
mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a damper with a
partial section according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a left side view of a housing shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG.
2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a right side view of a rotor shown in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG.
4;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a front view of the damper formed of the
respective parts shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of the damper shown in FIG.
6; and
[0025] FIGS. 8(a) to 8(c) are explanatory sectional views showing
an operation of the damper.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Hereunder, embodiments of the invention will be explained
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a damper with a
partial section according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2
is a left side surface view of a housing shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is
a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a right
side surface view of a rotor shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a sectional
view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a front view of the
damper formed of the parts shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a front
sectional view of the damper shown in FIG. 6; and FIGS. 8(a) to
8(c) are views explaining an operation of the damper.
[0028] In FIG. 1, a damper D includes a housing 11; a rotor 31
having a part housed in the housing 11 and a part projecting from
the housing 11; a coil spring 51 disposed between the housing 11
and the rotor 31 in an axial direction thereof as a biasing member
for accumulating a biasing force to rotate the rotor 31 in a
predetermined direction with respect to the housing 11; silicone
oil 61 filled in the housing 11 as a viscous fluid; an O-ring 71 as
a sealing member for sealing between the housing 11 and the rotor
31 to prevent the silicone oil 61 from leaking from the housing 11;
and a cap 81 for preventing the O-ring 71 and the rotor 31 from
coming out of the housing 11.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 11 is formed of a bottomed
cylindrical portion 12 made of a synthetic resin and having a
bottom end and an open end; and an engaging leg piece 22 integrally
disposed on a periphery of the cylindrical portion 12 in an axial
direction.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the bottomed cylindrical portion
12 includes a hole 13 formed of a larger diameter hole 13a
positioned at the open end side and a smaller diameter hole 13b
with a diameter smaller than that of the larger diameter hole 13a
concentrically connected to the larger diameter hole 13a and
reaching the bottom; a column-shape boss portion 14 positioned at
the bottom center for rotatably fitting an open end of a bottomed
cylindrical portion 32 of the rotor 31; an engaging groove 15
positioned along a diameter of the boss portion 14 for engaging a
first engaging portion 53 on one end side of the coil spring 51 to
be non-rotatable; a circular arc-shape portion to be engaged 16
disposed in a space between the bottomed cylindrical portion 12 and
the boss portion 14 with a predetermined height in a predetermined
angle area on the bottom of the bottomed cylindrical portion 12
(housing 11); two engaging projections 17 disposed on an inner
peripheral surface of the larger diameter hole 13a at locations
symmetrical to an axis and extending in an axial direction for a
predetermined length; circular-arc concave portions 18 and
circular-arc convex portions 19 alternatively positioned with an
interval of 90 degrees therebetween on the open end side and having
a concave or convex shape in an axial direction; slits 20
positioned on the respective circular-arc convex portions 19 and
symmetrically extending in the peripheral direction; and isolating
grooves 21 positioned on borders of the circular-arc concave
portions 18 and the circular-arc convex portions 19 and extending
toward the bottom side for a predetermined length.
[0031] Incidentally, a height (projection toward inside) of the
engaging projection 17 is set such that an inner periphery thereof
is flush with the peripheral surface of the smaller diameter hole
13b, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the rotor 31 is formed of the
bottomed cylindrical portion 32 made of a synthetic resin and
having an open end; and a shaft portion 41 concentrically and
integrally connected to a bottom of the bottomed cylindrical
portion 32.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the bottomed cylindrical portion 32
includes a smaller diameter portion 33a; a larger diameter portion
33b disposed concentrically with the smaller diameter portion 33a
on the right side thereof for receiving an O-ring; and an
intermediate diameter portion 33c disposed concentrically with the
larger diameter portion 33b on the right side thereof. A
cylindrical hole 34 extends from the right end of the intermediate
diameter portion 33c to the larger diameter portion 33b.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, on the bottom of the hole 34,
there is provided an engaging groove 35 for engaging a second
engaging portion 54 at the other end side of the coil spring 51
positioned on the diameter portion of the larger diameter portion
33b and reaching the right end proximity of the smaller diameter
portion 33a. As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, an elastic engaging
projection 36 is provided at a position of the intermediate
diameter portion 33c corresponding to the engaging projection 17 of
the housing 11. As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, an engaging portion
40 projecting in the axial direction is disposed to abut or slide
the bottom of the bottomed cylindrical portion 12 of the housing 11
with about 120 degrees at the central angle for engaging the
portion to be engaged 16 of the housing 11.
[0035] Incidentally, an outer periphery of the smaller diameter
portion 33a and an inner periphery of the larger diameter hole 13a
of the housing 11 are set in their diameters to have a space
therebetween so that an O-ring 71 can be disposed therein. Also, an
outer periphery of the larger diameter portion 33b and an inner
periphery of the larger diameter hole 13a of the housing 11 are set
in their diameters to have a little space therebetween.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the elastic engaging projection
36 is formed of an elastic piece 38 provided by forming a notched
hole 37 in a shape of U-character opening in the circumferential
direction on the intermediate diameter portion 33c; and projection
(protrusion) 39 positioned on an outer peripheral surface of the
leading end of the elastic piece 38 in the circumferential
direction and projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the
intermediate diameter portion 33c to extend in an axial direction
of the intermediate diameter portion 33c for engaging the engaging
projection 17 of the housing 11.
[0037] The two elastic engaging projections 36 are provided on
axisymmetrical positions corresponding to the engaging projections
17 of the housing 11. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, the shaft
portion 41 is provided with parallel flat portions 42 formed in an
I-cut shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the coil spring 51 is formed of a
coil portion 52; the first engaging portion 53 provided on one end
of the coil portion 52 and extending in an axial direction of the
coil portion 52; and the second engaging portion 54 provided on the
other end of the coil portion 52 and extending in the axial
direction of the coil portion 52.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, a cap 81 includes a cylindrical portion
82 made of a synthetic resin and having an inner diameter for
inserting the shaft portion 41 of the rotor 31 to be rotatable and
an outer diameter for fitting the larger diameter hole 13a of the
housing 11; engaging portions 83 integrally connected to the
cylindrical position 82 and disposed at axisymmetrical positions on
an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 82 for
engaging the slit 20 in the peripheral direction of the housing 11;
and a circular arc shape peripheral direction convex portion 84
projecting outwardly in the diameter direction for fitting the
circular arc shape concave portion 18 of the housing 11 in a state
that the circular arc circumferential direction convex portions 84
are located at axisymmetrical positions on the outer
circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 82 and the
engaging portions 83 engage the slits 20 in the peripheral
direction.
[0039] Incidentally, the outer diameters of the engaging portion 83
and the circular arc shape peripheral direction projection portion
84 are the same as that of the bottomed cylindrical portion 12 of
the housing 11. In the embodiment, the spare winding setting
mechanism (spare winding setting device) P is formed of the portion
to be engaged 16 and the engaging portion 40. The open position
lock mechanism L includes the engaging projection 17 and the
elastic engaging projection 36.
[0040] An assembly of the damper D and the spare winding will be
explained next. First, the housing 11 is put upright so that the
open end of the bottomed cylindrical portion 12 becomes upwards and
the first engaging portion 53 becomes downwards. The coil spring 51
is inserted into the hole 13 by allowing the first engaging portion
53 to correspond to the engaging groove 15. After the first
engaging portion 53 engages the engaging groove 15, the silicone
oil 61 is poured into the hole 13 for a predetermined quantity.
Then, with the bottomed cylindrical portion 32 downwards, the
engaging groove 35 corresponds to the second engaging portion 54 of
the coil spring 51 to thereby insert the rotor 31 into the hole 13.
When the rotor 31 is inserted into the hole 13, air inside the
holes 13 and 34 goes out through the notched hole 37, and the
second engaging portion 54 of the coil spring 51 engages the
engaging groove 35.
[0041] In this state, for example, shown in FIG. 1, the rotor 31
rotates in the counter-clockwise direction with respect to the
housing 11 to wind the coil spring 51. The rotor 31 is inserted
into the hole 13 until the engaging portion 40 abuts against the
bottom of the hole 13 after the biasing force of the coil spring 51
for rotating the rotor 31 with respect to the housing 11 is
accumulated. Then, while the shaft portion 41 is inserted into the
O-ring 71, the O-ring 71 is positioned between the bottomed
cylindrical portion 12 and the bottomed cylindrical portion 32 so
that the O-ring 71 abuts against the larger diameter portion 33b.
At this time, the O-ring 71 is positioned below the isolating
groove 21.
[0042] Next, while the shaft portion 41 is inserted into the
cylindrical portion 82 with the engaging portion 83 downwards, the
cap 81 is placed on the bottomed cylindrical portion 12 by allowing
the circular arc shape circumferential direction convex portion 84
to correspond to the circular arc shape concave portion 18. When
the cap 81 is pressed toward the bottomed cylindrical portion 12,
the circular arc shape convex portion 19 expands by the action of
the isolation groove 21. Accordingly, the circular arc shape
circumferential direction convex portion 84 enters the circular arc
shape concave portion 18, so that the engaging portion 83 is
inserted into the circular arc shape convex portion 19.
[0043] Then, when the cylindrical portion 82 abuts against the
O-ring 71, or presses and deforms the O-ring 71, the cylindrical
portion 82 is lowered so that the engaging portion 83 faces the
circumferential slit 20. Accordingly, the bottomed cylindrical
portion 12 is restored to the original shape by its elasticity, so
that the engaging portion 83 enters the circumferential slit 20 to
engage. Thus, even if the pressing force to the cap 81 is released,
the engaging portion 83 holds the engaging state with the
circumferential slit 20, thereby assembling the damper D as shown
in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0044] When the damper D is assembled as described above, the coil
spring 51 is unwound by the biasing force accumulated in the coil
spring 51 by rotating the rotor 31 with respect to the housing 11
in the direction of winding up the coil spring 51 to thereby rotate
the rotor 31. Then, the rotation of the rotor 31 is stopped when
the engaging portion 40 of the rotor 31 abuts against the portion
to be engaged 16 of the housing 11 to thereby set the biasing force
of the spare winding. Therefore, in the state that the rotor 31 is
set in the housing 11, the engaging portion 40 abuts against the
portion to be engaged 16, thereby completing the spare winding.
[0045] A process of setting and adjusting the biasing force of the
spring coil 51 will be explained next. In the assembled state of
the damper D as described above shown in FIG. 8(a), when the rotor
31 is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction with respect to
the housing 11, the projection 39 abuts against the engaging
projection 17, so that the rotor 31 can not be rotated further in
the counter-clockwise direction with respect to the housing 11.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 8(b), when the rotor 31 rotates in the
counter-clockwise direction with the rotating torque corresponding
to a force for elastically deforming the elastic piece 38 to move
the projection 39 over the engaging projection 17, the elastic
piece 38 is elastically deformed and the projection 39 moves over
the engaging projection 17 to thereby rotate the rotor 31 in the
counter-clockwise direction.
[0047] Incidentally, when the projection 39 moves over the engaging
projection 17, the projection 39 is restored to the original state,
i.e. a state where the projection 39 abuts against the engaging
projection 17 with the elasticity of the elastic piece 38. Then,
when the force for rotating the rotor 31 in the counter-clockwise
direction is released under the state that the projection 39 moves
over the engaging projection 17, the projection 39 abuts against
the engaging projection 17 by the rewinding biasing force (for
rotating the rotor 31 in the clockwise direction with respect to
the housing 11) accumulated in the coil spring 51.
[0048] At this time, as described above, the biasing force of the
coil spring 51 deforms the elastic piece 38 elastically. In a case
that the biasing force is smaller than that to move the projection
39 over the engaging projection 17, the state that the projection
39 abuts against the engaging projection 17 is maintained by the
operation of the open position locking mechanism L as shown in FIG.
8(c).
[0049] Incidentally, in a case that the rotor 31 is rotated in the
clockwise direction with respect to the housing 11 to reduce the
rewinding biasing force accumulated in the coil spring 51, the
projection 39 moves over the engaging projection 17 by rotating the
rotor 31 in the clockwise direction with the rotational torque
corresponding to the force for elastically deforming the projection
39 to move the elastic piece 38 over the engaging projection
17.
[0050] In a case that the winding-in biasing force (for rotating
the rotor 31 in the counter-clockwise direction with respect to the
housing 11) is accumulated in the coil spring 51 by rotating the
rotor 31 in the clockwise direction with respect to the housing 11,
the same operation can be carried out.
[0051] Accordingly, the biasing force for rewinding or winding is
accumulated in the coil spring 51 and can be adjusted by rotating
the rotor 31 in the counter-clockwise direction or the clockwise
direction with respect to the coil spring 51.
[0052] An operation of the damper will be explained next.
Incidentally, it is assumed that the housing 11 is attached to the
main portion of an electronic instrument not to rotate by using the
engaging leg piece 22, the shaft portion 41 is attached to a door
of the electronic instrument at the flat portion 42 to integrally
rotate, the unwinding biasing force is accumulated in the coil
spring 51, and the door is biased by the biasing force in the
closing direction of the door with respect to the main portion.
Also, it is assumed that, under the state that the door is closed,
the positional relationship between the housing 11 and the rotor 31
is in a state as shown in FIG. 8(a).
[0053] First, in the state that the door is closed as shown in FIG.
8(a), when the door is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction
by holding the rotating end (end away from the rotating center) of
the door, the door can be opened around the damper D as a rotating
center. As described above, when the door is opened, the coil
spring 51 is wound up by rotating the rotor 31 in the
counter-clockwise direction, and the unwinding biasing force is
accumulated in the coil spring 51.
[0054] When the hand is removed from the door, since the unwinding
biasing force is accumulated in the coil spring 51, the door is
rotated in the clockwise direction by the biasing force to be
closed. As described above, when the door is closed by the
unwinding biasing force of the coil spring 51, since the bottomed
cylindrical portion 32 of the rotor 31 rotating in the bottomed
cylindrical portion 12 of the housing 11 is damped by the shear
resistance of the silicone oil 61, the closing operation of the
door is damped, so that the door is slowly closed.
[0055] In the state that the door is closed as shown in FIG. 8(a),
when the projection 39 is tried to open more than an angle that the
projection 39 abuts against the engaging projection 17 by holding
the rotating end of the door, the projection 39 abuts against the
engaging projection 17, so that the rotor 31 can not be rotated
over the angle in the counter-clockwise direction with respect to
the housing 11.
[0056] However, when the rotor 31 is rotated in the
counter-clockwise direction by the rotary torque corresponding to
the force that the projection 39 moves over the engaging projection
17 through the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 38 as shown
in FIG. 8(b), the elastic piece 38 is elastically deformed and the
projection 39 moves over the engaging projection 17, so that the
rotor 31 is further rotated in the counter-clockwise direction.
Incidentally, when the projection 39 moves over the engaging
projection 17, the projection 39 is restored to the original state,
i.e. a state where the projection 39 abuts against the engaging
projection 17. Accordingly, the door can be opened over the angle
that the projection 39 abuts against the engaging projection
17.
[0057] When the door is opened as described above, the coil spring
51 is wound up through the rotation of the rotor 31 in the
counter-clockwise direction to accumulate the unwinding biasing
force in the coil spring 51. Then, when the hand is removed from
the door, since the unwinding biasing force is accumulated in the
coil spring 51, the door is rotated in the clockwise direction by
the biasing force and closed. As described above, when the door is
closed by the unwinding biasing force of the coil spring 51, since
the bottomed cylindrical portion 32 of the rotor 31 rotating in the
bottomed cylindrical portion 12 of the housing 11 is damped by the
shear resistance of the silicone oil 61, operation for closing the
door is damped and the door is closed slowly.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 8(c), the unwinding biasing force of the
coil spring 51 is not greater than the rotary torque that the
projection 39 abuts against the engaging projection 17 and moves
over the engaging projection 17. Accordingly, the door is locked at
the open position by the open position locking mechanism L to
thereby hold the opened state of the door. Incidentally, in the
case that the door locked at the open position is closed, when the
projection 39 moves over the engaging projection 17 by pushing the
door with a hand, the door is slowly closed by the unwinding
biasing force of the coil spring 51.
[0059] As described above, in the embodiments of the invention, the
spare winding setting mechanism, i.e. the spare winding setting
device P, is formed of the portion to be engaged 16 disposed on the
bottom of the housing 11 and the engaging portion 40 disposed to
the leading end of the rotor 31. Accordingly, the rotor 31 is set
in the housing 11 in the state that the biasing force is
accumulated in the coil spring 51 and the biasing force of the coil
spring 51 rotating the rotor 31 with respect to the housing 11 can
be set by allowing the engaging portion 40 to abut against the
portion to be engaged 16.
[0060] Therefore, after the rotor 31 is set in the housing 11, it
is not necessary to move the rotor 31 in the axial direction to set
the biasing force of the coil spring 51. Thus, it is possible to
use the coil spring 51 having strong biasing force, and the spare
winding setting mechanism P formed of the portion to be engaged 16
and the engaging portion 40 can be applied to the damper in which a
cap is welded to the housing.
[0061] Also, the open position locking mechanism L is provided for
locking the door or lid at a predetermined position. Therefore, in
the case that the door or lid is urged by the biasing force of the
coil spring 51 in the closing direction, a desired operation and
work can be carried out in the state that the hand is away from the
door or lid by actuating the open position locking mechanism L so
that the door or lid is locked at the open position.
[0062] In the embodiments, the portion to be engaged 16 is provided
to the housing 11 and the engaging portion 40 is provided to the
rotor 31. The same operation can be obtained when the portion to be
engaged 16 is provided to the rotor 31 and the engaging portion 40
is provided to the housing 11.
[0063] Also, the elastic engaging projection 36 is disposed where
the projection 39 is provided to the elastic piece 38. The same
operation can be obtained by using both parts as engaging
projections with elastic deformation of the bottomed cylindrical
portions 12 and 32.
[0064] Further, the coil spring 51 is used as the biasing member,
and other biasing member operating in the same manner may be
employed. The silicone oil 61 is used as the viscous fluid, and
other viscous fluid functioning in the same manner, such as grease,
may be employed. The damper D with the cap 81 is used in the
present embodiment, and the present invention can be applied to the
damper without the cap.
[0065] The disclosures as disclosed in Japanese Patent Applications
No. 2003-291936 filed on Aug. 12, 2003 and No. 2003-425024 filed on
Dec. 22, 2003 are incorporated herein.
[0066] While the invention has been explained with reference to the
specific embodiments of the invention, the explanation is
illustrative and the invention is limited only by the appended
claims.
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